Holy Cross chaplain accused of adult sexual misconduct

WORCESTER — An assistant chaplain at the College of the Holy Cross was arraigned after allegedly sexually assaulting a man at the Greendale branch of the YMCA on Jan. 20.

The Rev. Gregory A. Lynch, who also serves as the faculty adviser for the Student Program for Urban Development., a community service program for Holy Cross students, was arraigned Feb. 4 in Worcester District Court on a single count of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over.

Rev. Lynch's case was continued to March 17.

Ellen Ryder, a spokesman for the college, said Rev. Lynch has been removed from public ministry and his assignments at the school. A Holy Cross web page titled "Meet the Chaplains" lists him as "on leave."

School officials said he is no longer residing on the College Hill campus.

According to the police application for a criminal complaint, Rev. Lynch allegedly touched a 20-year-old man on his bare buttocks without permission.

The court ordered that Rev. Lynch have no contact with the alleged victim and to stay away from the Greendale facility.

Ms. Ryder said that Worcester police notified school officials of the allegation.

The Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, the school's president, informed the campus and parents of the students of the alleged incident in an e-mail sent Jan. 29.

"The college is not aware of any other allegations of misconduct involving Rev. Lynch," wrote Rev. Boroughs.

He said that it was important to note that Rev. Lynch's removal from his duties did not represent a determination of his guilt or innocence.

School officials said that Rev. Lynch's responsibilities will be assumed by other members of the chaplains staff.

"We ask members of the campus community to remember those involved in their prayers," Rev. Boroughs wrote.

Ms. Ryder said the matter will also be investigated by the Jesuit provincial authorities. She added that Bishop Robert J. McManus' office was also notified of the allegation.

Rev. Lynch graduated from Creighton University in 1991 and was ordained a priest in the Society of Jesus in 2003.

In addition to Creighton, he holds degrees from Gonzaga University and the Weston School of Theology.

Before becoming associated with the Jesuit order, Rev. Lynch was a high school teacher and swim coach at Creighton Prepartory in Omaha, Nebraska.

At Holy Cross, Rev. Lynch was also moderator of the Pax Christi Religious Education Program.

Scott J. Croteau of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.